Reuben Odanga will produce the visuals for MTV Shuga Mashariki, with Enos Olik shaping them

In anticipation of its much awaited comeback in May 2025, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation (SAF) is thrilled to announce that MTV Shuga Mashariki is currently under development. As part of the Surround Sound Kenya Program, this season is a part of a historic partnership with Shujaaz Inc. that aims to challenge gender conventions and their influence on young people’s results. 

June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba, and Likarion Wainaina are three renowned Kenyan directors on the MTV Shuga Mashariki directing crew. These filmmakers, who are well-known for their innovative work in Kenyan cinema and television, infuse the production with a plethora of expertise, imagination, and enthusiasm. Under their inspiring direction, MTV Shuga Mashariki is poised to produce a season that will not only be unforgettable but also provoke important discussions regarding the lives of young people in Kenya and East Africa. 

June Ndinya has gained recognition as a force behind daring, real stories because to her captivating storytelling in popular adolescent dramas like “Flash Squad” and “Prefects.” Co-founder of the African Female Filmmakers Collective Mkaiwawi Mwakaba, who combines technical know-how with a love of creative narrative, has made notable contributions to the Kenyan film industry, including co-directing the 2024 picture “Makosa Ni Yangu.” Known around the world for his critically acclaimed feature film “Supa Modo,” Likarion Wainaina is redefining African cinema with new, powerful stories that have a worldwide effect.

“We are especially proud to have two female directors on board, whose perspectives are crucial in shaping how themes affecting young women and girls are portrayed on the show,” says Mitchelle Kimathi, Country Manager (Kenya), MTV Staying Alive Foundation. Women’s participation in this creative process allows us to truly present society challenges and their effects, particularly those that have a gender intersection. We are able to bring these issues to light with depth, empathy, and insight thanks to their efforts.

Reuben Odanga will work with Multan Production Limited, an award-winning Kenyan production firm, to develop MTV Shuga Mashariki. Notable television shows made in Multan include “Mo Faya,” “Selina,” “Saida,” “Nafsi,” and “A Familiar Christmas.”

With a strong emphasis on quality, originality, and innovation, the firm has flourished since its foundation in 2009 by creating gripping stories. Multan’s many accomplishments, such as the Kalasha Awards for Best TV Drama for “Selina” (2018 and 2019) and “Saida” (2014), demonstrate the company’s dedication to quality. CNN Africa Connect and MultiChoice honored its outstanding efforts by naming it one of the top content producers and creators of 2018–2019.

The production crew of MTV Shuga Mashariki is pleased to welcome renowned Kenyan cinematographer Enos Olik. Enos will be crucial in establishing the series’ visual identity and making sure that the stories are both visually striking and powerful. The filmmaker, educator, and entertainment industry pioneer from East Africa offers more than ten years of experience creating visually striking stories that appeal to audiences both domestically and beyond. 

The anthology film “Anyango and the Ogre” (2021), the Crime and Justice series (2021–2023), “Supa Modo” (2018), “Famous” musical drama (2021), and “The Christmas Run” (2024) are some of Enos’s most well-known works.

“MTV Shuga Mashariki is a celebration of Kenyan talent and storytelling, and we are thrilled to have a fully local team of directors leading the way,” says Wame Jallow, Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation. Under the direction of June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba, and Likarion Wainaina, this production is really Kenyan in its heart, guaranteeing that each story is genuine and firmly grounded in the reality and experiences of Kenya’s young people. Our dedication to dismantling gender stereotypes and empowering young people is evident throughout this season, and the gender-diverse directors team is essential to this goal.

MTV Shuga Mashariki’s comeback continues the program’s tradition of identifying and developing new talent. In May 2025, the new season will premiere on television. With a production led by Kenyan talent that captures the genuine experiences and voices of the nation’s young, this new season of MTV Shuga carries on the program’s distinctive style of real storytelling, which was established based on national-level youth-focused research. It is still a potent instrument for tackling urgent social problems that young people face. MTV Shuga Mashariki upholds the ability of storytelling to propel social change, subvert constrictive gender stereotypes, and motivate youth to take control of their futures by fusing locally based stories with international production standards.